Stalking to be fined, dancing in secret allowed

SEOUL, Jan. 13 (Yonhap) -- The police have proposed adding stalking to the list
of misdemeanors punishable in South Korea, but scrapping outdated laws such as
banning giving dance lessons in secret, officials said Tuesday.

The National Police Agency has proposed modification of the Minor Offenses Act to
include stalking by email or phone, it said in a report submitted to the prime
minister's office.
"The revised Minor Offenses Law will forbid the act of harassing a person with
persistent phone calls, e-mails or letters, even if the victim is not physically
threatened or has not been assaulted by the stalker," an agency official said.
Meanwhile, the police agency suggested scrapping out-of-date laws against some
misdemeanors -- such as displaying snakes in public, not cleaning the chimney,
giving dance lessons in secret, and managing livestock or machines without the
owner's permission.
In addition, those who want to ride motorcycles have to obtain an operating
license separate from a car driver's license, the agency said.
Violations are punishable by up to 100,000 won (US$73) in fines.
The police will also start accepting credit card payments for traffic violation
tickets, the agency said.
brk@yna.co.kr
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